INDIO >> It was a slow start for the Stagecoach Country Music Festival, which kicked off Friday with strong winds and some techinical difficulties that frustrated country stars and fans alike.

North Carolina native Eric Church exclaimed “this wind is pissing me off” as he closed out the first night of the three-day festival as he witness a dust storm kick up and cause many of his fans to leave the festival early.

But for the diehard fans who stayed, Church made sure it was worth it.

“You guys care if I play a couple more songs?” he asked fans. “They said it was too windy, but they can kiss my (expletive).”

Newport Beach resident Vaughn Johnson, 39, who said the wind was “irrelevant” to his festival experience, enjoyed Church’s defiance as well as is songs “These Boots” and “Sinners Like Me” that made for a well-mixed set that used a combination of Church’s new and old hits.

Even despite some sound issues during Brantley Gilbert’s set on the Mane Stage just before Church, where it was hard to hear the star sing his hits like “Bottoms Up,” fans like Johnson seemed to have enjoy the blustery first day at the Mane Stage.

But the Palomino Stage may have been where all the action was at Friday.

Just before the iconic rockers, Katey Sagal, the actress from “Married With Children” and “Sons of Anarchy,” also rocked the stage with the Forest Rangers and guest Franky Perez. The group played cover after cover of much-loved hits like “Free falling” by Tom Petty, performing a high-energy set with a good mix of soft ballads, some featuring Sagal’s son, Jackson White.

Also at the Palomino Stage, Shakey Graves’ unique sound captivated audiences, despite strong winds knocking over a microphone and forcing him to don sunglasses mid-performance.

Even the engaged A-list celebrities Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher were spotted around the Palomino Stage enjoying Shelby Lynne’s performance earlier in the day.

Along with the music, families enjoyed the Half-Pint Hootenanny that included many child-friendly activities such as a petting zoo and face painting while other fans warmed up on the dance floor at the Honky Tonk Dance Hall.

And it wasn’t just festival fans who enjoyed themselves.

Texas singer Eric Paslay sounded stunned while he was on the Mane Stage at the sold-out Stagecoach.

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“I’ve never played for this many people in my life,” Paslay said. “I’ve never seen this many people in my life.”